A cyclone is rapidly approaching Bengal. A low-pressure area has formed over the Bay of Bengal and, within three days, it could develop into a cyclone, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

If a cyclone forms, it will be named ‘Dana’—a name given by Qatar—in accordance with the system adopted by the WMO/ESCAP panel including Bangladesh, India, Iran, Maldives, Myanmar, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, United Arab Emirates and Yemen.

The low-pressure area is expected to gradually move north-west towards the coasts of Odisha and Bengal, becoming a depression by October 22. As a result, winds of up to 135 km/h are likely to blow near the coast.

The cyclone is likely to form in the east-central Bay of Bengal on Wednesday, October 23, and approach the coast by Thursday.

The weather office has advised fishermen not to venture into the deep sea, specifically in central and southern Bay of Bengal, from October 21 to 23, and in the northern and central Bay of Bengal until the morning of October 26.

Rain is also expected in North Bengal. Thunderstorms and rain are forecast for Thursday in Jalpaiguri, North Dinajpur, South Dinajpur and Malda.

The IMD has not yet issued rain warnings for Kolkata from Monday to Wednesday, although there may be scattered light showers in some areas. However, heavy rainfall is expected in Kolkata on Thursday, October 24. On that day, heavy rainfall has also been predicted in the districts of Howrah, Hooghly, North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas, East Midnapore, West Midnapore and Jhargram. North 24 Parganas may also experience heavy rain on Wednesday.